Blue-Green Algae Detected in Wainscott Pond

The Suffolk County Department of Health confirmed on Monday that testing had detected a cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, bloom in Wainscott Pond, the first this year in East Hampton Town.

Health Department officials have warned residents not to wade or swim in waters with cyanobacteria blooms and to keep pets and children away from them as well. Those who come in contact with affected waters should rinse with clean water immediately and seek medical attention if they experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, breathing difficulties, allergic reactions, or skin, eye, or throat irritations.

Last year there were harmful blue-green algal blooms in Fort Pond in Montauk, Wainscott Pond, Hook Pond, and Georgica Pond, as well as in Agawam Lake, Wickapogue Pond, and Mill Pond in Southampton. The East Hampton Town Trustees closed Georgica Pond to crabbing last August because of the bloom there.

Cyanobacteria at low levels is naturally present in lakes, streams, and ponds, but warm water and a lack of tidal flushing can cause an overabundance of it and lead to the harmful blooms that have become all too common in recent years on the South Fork. One indication of these blooms is floating scum on the water’s surface “that may cause the water to take on a paint-like appearance,” according to the Health Department.

The bloom in Wainscott Pond and another in Wickapogue Pond were confirmed after sampling by Stony Brook University. Follow-up sampling indicated that the bloom in Wickapogue Pond had ended, according to a release from the Health Department on Monday.

Suspected cyanobacteria blooms at any Suffolk County-permitted bathing beach can be reported to the Health Department’s office of ecology at 631-852-5760. Suspected blooms at other bodies of water should be reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 518-402-8179.